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Celebrating 40 Years
Public higher education stands as one of the true success stories in our nation's history. The public universities stand as a quintessential symbol of who we are and what we stand for as a nation—opportunity, industry, and community.
In 1968, a handful of students took a chance on a new, untested university. A small school at the end of a dirt road. They were looking for opportunity. Today, the University of Central Florida has changed quite a bit. Our campus is now dynamic, our faculty is distinguished, and yes, our roads are paved. Our staff, students and partners are energizing the economy and changing the world—that's what happens when a university and community share the same goals. In just 40 years, UCF has become the fifth-largest university in the nation in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. We've surpassed the $100 million mark in annual research funding. We've graduated students who have received Rhodes, Mellon and Goldwater Scholarships. And, just like in 1968, people still come here looking for opportunity.
Campus in 1968.
It all happened so fast...
1963—Bill 125 passes to create university
1965—Charles Norman Millican is chosen as founding president
1966—University named Florida Technological University (FTU)
1967—Groundbreaking ceremony on March 19
1968—Classes begin at Orlando campus and Brevard and Daytona Beach centers
1969—First basketball, baseball, wrestling and tennis teams are created
1970—Knights of Pegasus is chosen as mascot
1978—Trevor Colbourn becomes second president and FTU becomes UCF
1979—President Colbourn creates UCF football team
1982—Central Florida Research Park opens
1986—Center for Research in Electro-Optics and Lasers (CREOL) program starts
1989—Steven Altman becomes third president
1990—UCF football moves to NCAA Division I-AA
1992—John C. Hitt becomes fourth president
1994—Knightro makes first official appearance
1996—Florida High Tech Corridor Council established by Legislature
2001—Commercial sales of UCF’s most productive patent, Florida Solar Energy Center’s (FSEC) Gossamer Wind® energy efficient ceiling fan, begin
2004—UCF Technology Incubator receives top designation from the National Business Incubation Association
2005—UCF surpasses the $100 million mark for research funds. Orlando Sentinel names President Hitt "Central Floridian of the Year"
2006—Florida Board of Governors approves College of Medicine
2007—Bright House Networks Stadium and the new UCF Arena open
2008—Medical school reaches historic goal to fund charter class
UCF By The Numbers
In 1968:
• Approximately 120 faculty members
• 2 buildings on opening day
• 3 buildings were built that school year
• Less than 30 degree programs
• 1,500 students expected to show opening day
• A total of 1,948 students enrolled
As of 2008:
• 1,258 full-time faculty as of Spring 2008
• 163 buildings (and counting)
• More than 220 degree programs
• 11 regional campuses
• 50,000 students
• More than 180,000 degrees awarded
UCF "Firsts"
• First employee was President Charles Millican
• First student request for information was by postcard
• First research grant was given by NASA and was for $12,500
• First building on campus was the library
• First class of undergraduate students was freshmen and juniors only
• First colleges were Business Administration, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences
• First commencement speaker was Astronaut John Young
• First football victory was in 1979 at St. Leo College, 21-0
• First Spirit Splash occurred in 1995 when a student was thrown into the Reflecting Pond and others follow
• First ucf.edu Web site launched in 1996
